considering opening a studio...owners get in here

dwdrummer · 31st July 2006

Hello all. I've been researching this for a while now, but wanted to get a personal opinion, as many of you have already experienced this and gone through all the trials and tribulations as studio owners/operators. This will be a partnership, but mostly operated by myself. I'm looking at some warehouse/industrial spaces right now and would like to have any advice about which one would fit best for a recording studio environment. Also, what's a good price range for a ~1500 sq. ft space before construction. I know most of the money that will go into this will be from out of pocket, bank loans, and some investors that are interested in this proposal. I will be basing this studio out of Dallas, TX and need to know what a good estimate for start up costs would be considering I do the whole 10 yards-- floating floors, acoustically treated, multi-room facility. I would love to hear your feedback on this so I can get a better understanding of what I'm getting into. Kind of the do's and dont's of starting something like this. I already have a basic clientele list, but I think this would open up more business for me. Thanks in advance.

Steven Bell · 31st July 2006

The architect I'm working with at one point quoted me about $300/sq ft as a rough estimate of what it takes to build a studio. I'm hoping to finish mine for closer to $90/sq ft.

Steven Bell
http://www.topoft

illmusic.com/StudioII.htm

planet red · 31st July 2006

I've been running a studio out of a commercial warehouse for the last 4 years. I did it all very cheaply and hate being there as Im booking as much as I can in other studios.

I've just found an almost 1600 sqft place I can buy for ridiculously cheap, so most likely I'm going to be building a new place there.

So far I cant see doing it for less then 30k, for a very stripped down place, to where a lot will have to be added later, as money permits. I have family that are contractors, so they'll help me find good cheap work (plumbling, electrical, hvac, sheetrock (theres no way I'm putting up 3 layers of 5/8's sheetrock on two sets of 14 and 15 ft walls for a 700 sqft tracking room..) Most of the rest I'll be doing myself.. Of course this is just for a workable space. After all is said and done itll be more around 50k.

This of course wont be a high end place, just a midlevel rock studio.

If I lived in a bigger city, I'd probably first look into finding a place thats already built and workable.

Whatever you have for clients you'll loose a good deal of, with the higher rates you'll need to cover your new bills.

What are your investors hoping to make off working with you? I couldnt imagine something in the 1500 sqft range being able to make enough for you, a partner, and investors, unless your rates are super high and youre working 24/7.

Its a scary and exciting situation.

31st July 2006	#1
dwdrummer Gear nut Joined: May 2006 Posts: 84 Thread Starter	considering opening a studio...owners get in here Hello all. I've been researching this for a while now, but wanted to get a personal opinion, as many of you have already experienced this and gone through all the trials and tribulations as studio owners/operators. This will be a partnership, but mostly operated by myself. I'm looking at some warehouse/industrial spaces right now and would like to have any advice about which one would fit best for a recording studio environment. Also, what's a good price range for a ~1500 sq. ft space before construction. I know most of the money that will go into this will be from out of pocket, bank loans, and some investors that are interested in this proposal. I will be basing this studio out of Dallas, TX and need to know what a good estimate for start up costs would be considering I do the whole 10 yards-- floating floors, acoustically treated, multi-room facility. I would love to hear your feedback on this so I can get a better understanding of what I'm getting into. Kind of the do's and dont's of starting something like this. I already have a basic clientele list, but I think this would open up more business for me. Thanks in advance.

31st July 2006	#2
Steven Bell Gear Head Joined: May 2005 Location: Duvall, WA Posts: 36	The architect I'm working with at one point quoted me about $300/sq ft as a rough estimate of what it takes to build a studio. I'm hoping to finish mine for closer to $90/sq ft. Steven Bell http://www.topoftillmusic.com/StudioII.htm

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31st July 2006	#3
planet red Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: historic richmond va Posts: 764	I've been running a studio out of a commercial warehouse for the last 4 years. I did it all very cheaply and hate being there as Im booking as much as I can in other studios. I've just found an almost 1600 sqft place I can buy for ridiculously cheap, so most likely I'm going to be building a new place there. So far I cant see doing it for less then 30k, for a very stripped down place, to where a lot will have to be added later, as money permits. I have family that are contractors, so they'll help me find good cheap work (plumbling, electrical, hvac, sheetrock (theres no way I'm putting up 3 layers of 5/8's sheetrock on two sets of 14 and 15 ft walls for a 700 sqft tracking room..) Most of the rest I'll be doing myself.. Of course this is just for a workable space. After all is said and done itll be more around 50k. This of course wont be a high end place, just a midlevel rock studio. If I lived in a bigger city, I'd probably first look into finding a place thats already built and workable. Whatever you have for clients you'll loose a good deal of, with the higher rates you'll need to cover your new bills. What are your investors hoping to make off working with you? I couldnt imagine something in the 1500 sqft range being able to make enough for you, a partner, and investors, unless your rates are super high and youre working 24/7. Its a scary and exciting situation.